DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

Page 52

Report on show, Keith's theatre, Providence, R. I., week of November [???] 1903. (Charles Lovenberg) ([???] M. Blaney) 52
Very good bill, quite a lot of comedy and some novelty. The Rays made a tremendous laughing hit and will no doubt draw quite a little money during the week.
De Muths.
Whirlwind dancers, and toe dancers, so called. Their dancing has not the least semblance of grace but is all right for an opening act. 14 min. full stage, 3 shows.
Van Leer & Duke.
Comedy sketch, woman Irish, man Simpleton. The man is not bad, but the woman is decidedly coarse. 20 Min. open full stage, close about 5 min. in one, 3 shows.
Reed & Shaw.
Comedy ring performers. Excellent three a day act. Would stand better place on the bill. 11 min. full stage, 3 shows.
Armstrong & Wright.
Comedy singing and dancing act. All their jokes are stolen and the man is not a comedian by any means. He can dance a little and the woman gave an endurance dance at the finish of the act which aroused a great deal of applause. 12 min. in one, 3 shows.
Irving Jones.
Colored singer. This man has quite an unctuous personality and sings Coon Songs very well indeed. 16 min. in one, 2 shows.
A. D. Robbins.
One of the finest trick bicyclist we have ever had. He works with great rapidity and his feats are all of an extremely difficult nature. Pleased the audience mightily and got quite a deal of applause. 10 min. full stage, 2 shows.
R. J. Jose.
Contra-Tenor. This man is too well known to need discussion. It always has seemed a great pity to me that he chooses songs that are unworthy of him. With better chosen songs he would undoubtedly be one of the best male vocalists we play. 11 min. in one, 2 shows.
Will M. Cressy & Blanche Dayne.
In Mr. Cressy's latest Idyll of New England Life, "The New Depot". Mr. Cressy had decided to withdraw this act and give us a "Village Lawyer" but Mr. Lovenberg preferred to have him play the new act. That his confidence in Mr. Cressy's ability was not misplaced was shown by the big hit that this artist made. The new sketch is full of bright lines and aroused a great deal of laughter and the artistic bit of pathos found in Mr. Cressy's acts was skillfully introduced. In my mind this act is not as good as the "Village Lawyer" but it certainly is an exceptionably good act and made a big hit. Some very pretty special scenery was used. 24 min. full stage, 2 shows.
John D. Gilbert.
This man was something of a disappointment. He made quite a laughing hit but nothing extraordinary. 19 min. in one, 2 shows.
Bedini & Arthur.
Comedy juggling act. Bedini is a very graceful and skillful juggler and his partner Arthur is one of the finest little black-face comedians in Vaudeville. Their act went with a scream from start to finish and was one of the hits of the bill. 12 min. full stage and about 5 min. in one, making 17 min. in all. 2 shows.
John & Emma Ray.
A tremendous laughing hit. Everything Ray did or said convulsed the audience. They are very popular here and will no doubt be the big card of the week. 30 min. full stage, 2 shows.

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Report on show, Keith's theatre, Providence, R. I., week of November [???] 1903. (Charles Lovenberg) ([???] M. Blaney) 52 Very good bill, quite a lot of comedy and some novelty. The Rays made a tremendous laughing hit and will no doubt draw quite a little money during the week. De Muths. Whirlwind dancers, and toe dancers, so called. Their dancing has not the least semblance of grace but is all right for an opening act. 14 min. full stage, 3 shows. Van Leer & Duke. Comedy sketch, woman Irish, man Simpleton. The man is not bad, but the woman is decidedly coarse. 20 Min. open full stage, close about 5 min. in one, 3 shows. Reed & Shaw. Comedy ring performers. Excellent three a day act. Would stand better place on the bill. 11 min. full stage, 3 shows. Armstrong & Wright. Comedy singing and dancing act. All their jokes are stolen and the man is not a comedian by any means. He can dance a little and the woman gave an endurance dance at the finish of the act which aroused a great deal of applause. 12 min. in one, 3 shows. Irving Jones. Colored singer. This man has quite an unctuous personality and sings Coon Songs very well indeed. 16 min. in one, 2 shows. A. D. Robbins. One of the finest trick bicyclist we have ever had. He works with great rapidity and his feats are all of an extremely difficult nature. Pleased the audience mightily and got quite a deal of applause. 10 min. full stage, 2 shows. R. J. Jose. Contra-Tenor. This man is too well known to need discussion. It always has seemed a great pity to me that he chooses songs that are unworthy of him. With better chosen songs he would undoubtedly be one of the best male vocalists we play. 11 min. in one, 2 shows. Will M. Cressy & Blanche Dayne. In Mr. Cressy's latest Idyll of New England Life, "The New Depot". Mr. Cressy had decided to withdraw this act and give us a "Village Lawyer" but Mr. Lovenberg preferred to have him play the new act. That his confidence in Mr. Cressy's ability was not misplaced was shown by the big hit that this artist made. The new sketch is full of bright lines and aroused a great deal of laughter and the artistic bit of pathos found in Mr. Cressy's acts was skillfully introduced. In my mind this act is not as good as the "Village Lawyer" but it certainly is an exceptionably good act and made a big hit. Some very pretty special scenery was used. 24 min. full stage, 2 shows. John D. Gilbert. This man was something of a disappointment. He made quite a laughing hit but nothing extraordinary. 19 min. in one, 2 shows. Bedini & Arthur. Comedy juggling act. Bedini is a very graceful and skillful juggler and his partner Arthur is one of the finest little black-face comedians in Vaudeville. Their act went with a scream from start to finish and was one of the hits of the bill. 12 min. full stage and about 5 min. in one, making 17 min. in all. 2 shows. John & Emma Ray. A tremendous laughing hit. Everything Ray did or said convulsed the audience. They are very popular here and will no doubt be the big card of the week. 30 min. full stage, 2 shows.